Opinion | China's PLA Is Entering A Dangerous New Phase, And India Can't Afford To Look Away

Updated: Aug 13, 2026 15:36 pm IST Published On Aug 13, 2026 15:36 pm IST Last Updated On Aug 13, 2026 15:36 pm IST

Published On Aug 13, 2026 15:36 pm IST

Last Updated On Aug 13, 2026 15:36 pm IST

Amid tumultuous times and a looming modernisation deadline, August 1 this year marked 99 years since the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). As the final year in the run-up to the PLA's centenary goals commences, three problems stand out as unresolved. These are the slow speed of "intelligentisation", the persistence of "official airs" and military graft, and an inability to prioritise quality over quantity. The West's sustained technology-denial efforts against Beijing, and the curbs placed on its defence state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by a growing roster of American lists, only add to the headwinds.

At the outset, it is important to understand the 2027 timeline. It is not more than a capability milestone, part of a "new three-step strategy": basically complete informatisation and enter the advanced stage of intelligentisation by 2027, achieve basic realisation of defence modernisation by 2035, and become a world-class military by 2049. Hence, it is notable that while operationally, an invasion of Taiwan is possible tomorrow, the PLA's sustained strategy of consistent modernisation and militarisation is the threat to look out for and prepare for, especially for decision-makers sitting in Washington and Delhi.

So what were the key signals emergent from the varied meetings, commentaries, and lectures that set the stage for the anniversary? The first was the emphasis on political........

© NDTV